Adopted Quote by Benjamin Franklin
“Those who govern, having much business on their hands, do not generally like to take the trouble of considering and carrying into execution new projects. The best public measures are therefore seldom adopted from previous wisdom, but forced by the occasion.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: 1755, The Pennsylvania Gazette
Leaders often avoid new ideas due to workload, leading to reliance on crisis‑driven innovation rather than proactive planning.
In simple terms: Busy leaders ignore new projects until forced.
Key Takeaway
Allocate time for proactive innovation.
Themes
leadership
innovation
bureaucracy
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government policy
- corporate strategy
- community initiatives
- project planning
Key Concepts
political science
organizational behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders prioritize innovation?
- What structures support proactive project adoption?
A Different Perspective
Crisis‑driven change can be reactive and costly.
